Question 1

whats a patent foramen ovale?

Accepted Answer

Small heart opening: It is an opening in the wall between the upper chambers of the heart that allows blood from the placenta to get to where it needs to go during fetal life. All babies are born with this. It usually closes after birth, but 20% of all adults still have this. It is normal, though it has been associated with stroke, migraine headach, and decompression illness in scuba divers.

Question 2

how to correct patent foramen ovale?

Accepted Answer

Usually nothing: A pfo is a remnant of the fetal circulation--everyone is born with this small flap in the wall between the 2 upper heart chambers. For most people this flap eventually fuses shut, but for some it never closes. 10-20% of people are walking around with a pfo and need no treatment or intervention. In the rare cases where it needs to be closed, a catheterization procedure can close it w/o surgery.

Question 3

how common is a patent foramen ovale?

Accepted Answer

Common: All infants have a patent foramen ovale (pfo) as a fetus. This allows the fetal circulation to flow. Once born the pfo will close as the concentratiojn of oxygen in the blood rises. In a small percentage of infants the pfo may persist. Figures on this occurrence vary from 10-15%. Rarely is any treatment required unless the blood flow is severely affected. Most close within 1-2 years of birth.

Question 4

when do you close a patent foramen ovale?

Accepted Answer

If having symptoms: Condition very common.  Usually closure only if having symptoms especially symptoms of stroke or what is called TIA which is a lack of oxygen to the brain.  This would mean the defect is causing clots.  Probably not even closure then if you can take blood thinners.  If there is some reason blood thinners cannot be taken then that is when closure done.  New methods do not require opening chest. Drj.

Question 5

how is pfo (patent foramen ovale) treated?

Accepted Answer

Usually ignored: This is considered an innocent variation in the formation of the heart that is compatible with a normal lifespan without heart problems & requires no intervention.

Question 6

please list patent foramen ovale symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Usually none: About 20% of all adults have pfo. Most people never have symptoms. Pagtent foramen ovale has been associated with cryptogenic stroke (a stroke thought to come from a small clot passing across the pfo from the right side of the heart to the left), migraine headaches, and decompression illness in scuba divers.

Question 7

how do you repair a patent ?foramen ovale?

Accepted Answer

Surgery: Most patent foramen ovales (pfo) do not have to be repaired. However if repair is indicated due to failure or respiratory issues, it would require open median sternotomy and probably 5-6 days in the hospital. This of course depends on the age of the patient.

Question 8

what are the tests for patent foramen ovale?

Accepted Answer

Echocardiogram: An ultrasound of the heart, called an echocardiogram, can detect patent foramen ovale - which, incidentally, is present in about a fourth of normal hearts and not always a cause for concern.

Question 9

what are the symptoms of patent foramen ovale?

Accepted Answer

Mostly asymptomatic: A patent foramen ovale is a common developmental anomaly and is usually asymptomatic, if there are no other cardiac abnormalities.  It does predispose the person to an uncommon event called paradoxical embolism where a venous embolus crosses over to the arterial side.

Question 10

can i excercise if i have a patent foramen ovale?

Accepted Answer

Yes: This is a relatively normal finding in people & seldom if ever limits their activities in any way. Have a discussion with the physician who knows all your other issues well before you embark on any exercise program. Other issues are likely much more important than a pfo to influence any exercise risk.

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